Why Does God Let Me Make Bad Choices?

God is ALWAYS at work. You might not know it, but He’s doing something in and around your life as you’re reading this. Whether you’re experiencing a time of blessing or a time of hardship, God is IN CONTROL.

Bad choices typically lead to negative results.
Good choices typically lead to positive results.
Sometimes they get flipped around which makes it difficult to distinguish the need to make a good choice (what’s the point if it leads to a negative result anyways?).

The point is…
You always have a CHOICE.
You might not be able to control the OUTCOME.
You can control your PART in the PROCESS.

If God is in control, why does He allow bad things to happen to good people? I don’t think I’ve ever been asked this question, but it’s one of those stereotypical questions people ask about the existence of God. God IS in control. I would simply suggest His idea of control differs from my own. My idea of control is He’s moving all the pieces around like a game of chess… only He’s playing Himself (therefore He’s moving all the pieces). I think God’s idea of control is WE are moving the pieces, however, He’s determined where we SHOULD move them. Sometimes we do what He wants (the BEST choice) and other times we do what we want (the not-so-good choice). And it’s within this framework God exercises control. He creates the perfect path for us to take, but we do what we want and He’s gotta find the BEST within the MESS we create.

Why does God allow bad things to happen to good people?
Nobody’s good.
Everybody makes bad choices.
God is ALWAYS trying to work things for our BEST even amidst the BAD.
God might ALLOW it, but He’s made a way OUT and we still choose the OTHER.

Reflect:

• Are you currently experiencing the results of some bad choices? When was the last time to asked God for help?
• When God shows you an alternate route do you listen (knowing it’s BEST) or do you continue doing what you want to do (because you want to be in CONTROL)?
• Knowing God’s plans are bigger, greater, and the best, what keeps you from listening to Him?